On with Kara Swisher Journalists or Creators? How Media Entrepreneurs Are Reshaping News
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Jul 31, 2025 
In this engaging discussion, Oliver Darcy, founder of the media newsletter Status and former CNN reporter, Katie Drummond, global editorial director at Wired, and Dave Jorgenson, creator of Local News International and The Washington Post's former TikTok Guy, explore the shifting dynamics of media. They dive into the challenges faced by legacy journalism, the rise of creator culture, and the financial aspects of independent media. The trio also tackles the impact of AI on journalism and the importance of maintaining authentic audience connections.
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Traffic Apocalypse from AI Search
- Google replacing traditional search links with AI overviews causes a 'traffic apocalypse' for publishers.
- Original reporting and emphasizing human journalism helps Wired avoid severe traffic loss.
Building Status Beyond SEO Traffic
- Oliver Darcy shared his experience launching Status with thousands of paying subscribers and the challenge of not getting much SEO traffic.
- Independent publishers compete by focusing on loyal paid audiences rather than chasing traffic volume.
Dave's Leap From Legacy to Startup
- Dave Jorgenson left The Washington Post to pursue his own media startup, citing hitting a ceiling as the chief reason.
- He brought along key team members who supported his vision, emphasizing autonomy and innovation.